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Welcome to the cool club.
Walk to your freezer and take out an ice cube. And there you have summer’s hottest beauty secret, which just happens to be ice cold (a necessity in this heatwave). By simply rolling the ice cube across your face, you can see instant benefits: glowy skin, reduced inflammation, and decreased redness. Ice has been an insider secret for ages (recall Joan Crawford’s morning ice bath ritual, portrayed by Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest), but is now making a big comeback: Irina Shayk, Jasmine Tookes, and Tracee Ellis Ross have all used ice rolling tools in their beauty routines on social media. Makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench posted an Instagram video of Bella Hadid channeling the ice bath scene from Mommie Dearest. And Google searches for ice rollers have jumped nearly 58 percent since last year, according to search data from Spate, while TikTok videos with the hashtag #iceroller number more than 58.3 million views. Plus, skincare fridges have been trending for years, keeping products cool and refreshing.
While you can opt to go straight to the tray in your freezer, many of the tools on the market, like the stainless steel CurrentBody Skin Cryo Roller and the Skin by Brownlee & Co. Cryotherapy Ball, will stay cold longer and are specially designed for the nooks and crannies of the face. These tools also won’t melt and make a mess in your bathroom.
Whether you’re using a skin care tool or a bowl of ice water, the most important thing is to protect your skin. “You don’t want it to feel uncomfortable,” explains Chanel makeup artist Pati Dubroff. “But you want it to feel surprising.” Here are 12 of the best cold tools on the market that you can add to your routine right now, plus a few tips and tricks from our experts on protecting your skin.
If it's good enough for Sydney Sweeney, it's good enough for us. This vibrant green and blue roller was featured on an episode of Euphoria as Sweeney's character performed an obsessive 4 a.m. beauty routine. She later admitted the products featured were from her personal collection.
For a good ole classic ice roller, try this one from CurrentBody. The stainless steel stays cold for a long time and is easy to clean after each rolling session. Plus, the size is perfect for face and body rolling.
Go all in with this luxury temperature-based tool from Joanna Vargas. Use the hot mode to help products sink in or use the cold setting to firm and depuff. Turn on the massage feature for a spa-like treatment at home.
Roll this tool all over your face for a little massage and instant depuffing. Reviewers note it's the perfect self-care treat after a long day. It's like going to the spa...from the comfort of your own home.
Do it all with Therabody's newest device all for the face. With hot and cold attachments, enjoy the different effects of temperature therapy. Plus, try out the different red and blue light LED attachments for further benefits, such as reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and acne.
All of Sacheu's products are ultra-sleek and look great on your bathroom counter ofrvanity. Plus, the stainless steel material keeps the tool cool without even placing in the freezer, though that definitely adds a punch. If you're looking for even more sculpting tools from the brand, try their stainless steel gua sha.
Roll these cute, purple sparkle-y globes along your under-eyes for a quick wakeup. Apply a bit of eye cream beforehand to avoid any tugging.
If you're on TikTok or really any form of social media, you've seen this ice roller. Basically to be initiated as a hot girl, you first have to buy this ice roller. The bright pink detail makes it ultra cute (and easy to spot in your freezer), while the aluminum ensures it gets extra cold extra fast.
All you have to do is place these globes from Jenny Patinkin in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before swiping over your face for a bit of depuffing. The liquid inside of the globes is a 'cryo essence' made with plant-based and non-toxic ingredients for guilt-free cold therapy.
Leave these icy globes in the refrigerator overnight and then glide across your face for a quick pick me up. The handles make them easy to grip, so you can really get into all the nooks and crannies of your face. The rounded shape is developed to not only massage the face but also the neck and décolletage.
Go all in with this ice mold that you can glide across your face for instant depuffing. Try adding a bit of aloe for a soothing effect or rosewater for a calming scent.
While not a roller, this mask allows you dive into the cryotherapy trend without having to lift a finger. Simply pop on the mask for an instant cooling effect. Massage the silver pressure points on the forehead when experiencing migraines or stress. It's a very mild version of acupressure at home!
Pati Dubroff, Chanel Makeup Artist
Dr. Naana Boakye, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Dermatologist
Dr. Howard Sobel, Clinical Attending Physician in Dermatology and Dermatologic Cosmetic Surgery at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital
What should I use a cold tool for?
Dubroff, who’s worked with stars like Margot Robbie and Simone Ashley, says she uses cold tools as a quick fix when working on set, especially early in the morning. She opts for the Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand, which features a cool and a hot setting. For Dubroff, cold tools are great for “anytime you want something to just feel less puffy, saggy, inflamed. It’s not forever, but it’s a good fix.” While most of the benefits are temporary, Boakye says ice rolling (or applying any cold tool) four to five times a week can help diminish inflammation.
I want to dip my toes into the ice-rolling trend. What should I do?
For first-timers trying cold therapy at home, Boakye recommends using a roller, such as the Sacheu Beauty Stainless Steel Facial Roller, to easily target all areas of the face. The Esarora Ice Roller is a budget-friendly choice with more than 17,000 primarily positive reviews (the icy blue tool also popped up on an episode of Euphoria as Sydney Sweeney’s character Cassie Howard showcased her obsessive morning routine). Sonäge Baby Frioz Mini Icy Globes are petite options that you can use all over your face—but are especially easy to roll around delicate eye skin.
Are there any safety precautions I should be aware of before ice rolling or using a cold tool?
Holding a tool on the skin for too long in one place may cause so-called freezer burn, exacerbating the redness you’re trying to quell—so keep it moving. You “don’t want to further injure your skin, because that could lead to either more redness or more hyperpigmentation,” Boakye explains—a particular concern for those with darker skin tones. For at-home rolling, she recommends testing the tool on your forearm before using it on your face to ensure it won’t stick to (and tear) the skin. Prep your skin by applying a serum or moisturizer, advises Sobel, and roll the device for no more than 10 minutes. “Too much cold can cause blood circulation problems to the skin...as well as decrease permeability to skin care ingredients and nutrients,” he says.
This article appears in the August 2022 issue of ELLE.